Blackfish Lake Ferry Site

  • Also Known As: SF0077

  • Vicinity: Address Restricted
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Site

Blackfish Lake Ferry Site is an archaeological site near Blackfish Lake in New Shady Grove, Arkansas. The former military road that crossed here was a major route during the removal of Cherokee, Creek and Choctaw tribes to the Indian Territory and thousands of westward pioneers. - AsNotedIn

Blackfish–this stream has been considered the great obstacle in the forming of this road, and we believe in any other way than that on which we have conducted it would render it impracticable–This stream takes its rise in a large number of Cypress lakes, Ponds etc in the high lands bordering on an outlet to the Mississippi into the Saint Francis–It drains a large portion of this insulated Country–In wet seasons it contains a vast quantity of water, which owing to the flatness of the Country, inundates a large Space at Such times rendering it almost impassible. Where we desire the road to cross, it forms itself into an immence [sic] lake with high banks, Sufficient to Contain all the Surplus water of wet Seasons without inundation – Thus, by establishing a ferry across Blackfish lake the great obstacle to this road vanishes.
Joseph Paxton and Thomas Mathers, Military Report to Secretary of War John C Calhoun


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1826/11/23 Charles Thomas, Quartermaster Superintendent Lt Thomas informs Jesup that the 3rd contract and part of the 4th, traversing uninhabited wilderness, crosses Blackfish, Shell and Bevans lakes which will need ferries, as they are too wide and deep to be forded, or bridged. Building the Memphis to Little Rock Military Road
1830/07/12 William D Ferguson Architect Crittenden County Court votes "that a Ferry License be Granted William D Ferguson to keep a Ferry across Blackfish at the Same rates of Tunage as heretofore allowed at his Ferry."
1837/07/00 A removal group of Chickasaw cross Blackfish Lake. Another party will cross the lake in December. Trail of Tears
1838/11/28 John Adair Bell Party Leader The Bell party of Cherokee cross on the Blackfish Lake Ferry. Trail of Tears

Data »

Particulars for Blackfish Lake Ferry Site:
Cultural Affiliation Cherokee
Cultural Affiliation Chickasaw
Area of Significance Exploration-settlement
Criteria Historic Event
Cultural Affiliation Native American
Owner Private
Sight Category Site
Area of Significance Transportation
Historic Use Water-related



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 10th April 2003

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Blackfish Lake Ferry Site
Registry Address: Address Restricted
Registry Number: 03000195
Resource Type: Site
Theme Group: Cherokee Trail of Tears MPS
Owner: Private
Architect: Ferguson, William D.
Area in Acres: 7
Non-Contributing Buildings: 3
Contributing Sites: 1
Other Certification: Date received-pending nomination
Certification: Listed in the National Register
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: State
Area of Significance: Native American, Exploration-settlement, Transportation
Applicable Criteria: Event
Historic Function: Transportation
Historic Sub-Function: Water-related
Current Function: Landscape, Domestic
Current Sub-Function: Natural feature Single dwelling

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